Kashmir's Response to Trump's Offer to Mediate: A Closer Look

Explore the mixed reactions in Kashmir to US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate the long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan.

KashmirDonald TrumpIndiapak CeasefireArticle 370SeparatismReal EstateMay 17, 2025

Kashmir's Response to Trump's Offer to Mediate: A Closer Look

Real Estate:On May 10, following four days of military clashes, United States President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. There was no mention of Kashmir, though the US Secretary of State did offer support in ‘initiating constructive talks’ between the two countries on a ‘broad set of issues’.

A day later, Trump offered his help to the two countries to find a solution to the Kashmir dispute. This announcement did not go down well with New Delhi, as India maintains that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter. The Narendra Modi government, which scrapped Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and downsized it into a union territory in August 2019, firmly believes there is no Kashmir dispute. The Ministry of External Affairs refuted the prospect of US intervention.

However, the response from Kashmir to Trump’s offer has been largely absent from the debate. Neither mainstream politicians nor separatist leaders have clearly stated their positions. Political observers in Kashmir view Trump’s offer as a ‘positive development,’ but the voices of the people are stifled by the current restrictions on expression in the region.

The four-day military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors has once again highlighted Kashmir as a flashpoint in the subcontinent. Since August 2019, when the Modi government scrapped Article 370 and cracked down on separatism, Kashmir had largely disappeared from international headlines. Despite this, there is skepticism in Kashmir about whether Trump’s announcements will bring any real change on the ground.

“New Delhi is unlikely to change its muscular and security-centric approach towards the region,” said a Srinagar-based political analyst. “The US may be trying to corner Modi for its own economic or trade interests rather than genuine concern for Kashmir.”

On May 15, during a business event in Qatar, Trump mentioned that he had told Apple CEO Tim Cook not to manufacture iPhones in India, adding another layer to the complex relationship between the US and India.

As a global superpower, American intervention in the conflict was expected, but Trump’s specific mention of the Kashmir dispute came as a surprise. The last time Trump spoke about Kashmir was during a press conference in New Delhi in February 2020. His recent offer of mediation marks the first such statement in his second term as president.

India’s response was swift. The Ministry of External Affairs, through its spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, reiterated India’s long-standing position that any issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir should be addressed bilaterally with Pakistan. “The outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan,” Jaiswal stated.

Since August 2019, the BJP-led central government has implemented a ‘zero tolerance policy against terrorism,’ which has not only curtailed local militancy but also led to an exhaustive crackdown on support systems and activists. The political face of separatism, Hurriyat, has been reduced to a mere name.

In this context, Trump’s mention of Kashmir may have brought international attention back to the region, but it is unlikely to prompt an outreach from the Indian government. “The decision to permit foreign intervention rests with the Indian government, and they are unlikely to embrace such involvement,” the Srinagar-based political analyst added.

Engaging with the Kashmir issue would require significant policy reversals from the Modi government. “Modi cannot look weak and start talking to the same people his government jailed for supporting terrorism and fomenting separatism in Kashmir,” the analyst explained. “Even if Delhi wants to talk to separatists, it has to first release them.”

The potential domestic backlash in mainland India is another factor weighing heavily on the BJP’s mind. “BJP has won elections on ‘integrating’ Kashmir with the rest of India after removing Article 370. Talking on Kashmir with Pakistan and allowing third-party intervention would be a disaster for it electorally,” the analyst added.

The main opposition party, Congress, has criticized Modi for internationalizing the Kashmir issue. “Kashmir is a bilateral issue, and the attempt to internationalize it is not proper,” said Sachin Pilot, the Congress’s general secretary. “In 1994, Parliament passed a unanimous resolution to take back PoK. It is time to repeat it.”

The Congress has also demanded that the Modi government clearly state that Kashmir is a bilateral issue and no country, including America, should intervene. Modi has not directly mentioned the United States in his reaction against third-party intervention.

The political leadership in Kashmir has taken a less aggressive view of the emerging situation post the India-Pakistan ceasefire. “The Modi government should not be politically penalized for exploring peaceful means,” said Mehbooba Mufti, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and president of the Peoples Democratic Party. “This is a time for bipartisan statesmanship, not division. The opposition must rise above politics and support genuine efforts for peace and stability.”

Mufti also appealed to opposition parties to avoid “knee-jerk criticism” and “build a national consensus around a peace process that safeguards national interests.” “Leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr. Manmohan Singh proved that cross-border engagement is possible even in tense times without compromising security or sovereignty,” she added.

The four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan from May 7 to 10 was sparked by a deadly terrorist attack on tourists in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam. “The Pahalgam attack showed that even though separatism and militancy in Kashmir are on the backfoot, a single incident abetted by Pakistan is enough to underline the fragility of the situation,” a local businessman in Srinagar said.

Military experts argue that Pakistan can sustain a low-intensity insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, and India needs to counter it through both military and political means. Former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda (Retd) emphasized the need for greater outreach to the local public and political parties. “We often say these are parties with soft separatist tendencies, which may or may not be true, but the fact is that they command popular support. Therefore, we need to take them on board,” Hooda said.

Political analysts suggest that there is a probability that New Delhi might engage with Kashmir but on its own terms. “There’s no question of restoring the pre-August 2019 status,” said a political science scholar. “Yes, there is a certain degree of probability that they will grant statehood to J&K soon.”

The recent political and military developments may compel the Union government to consider strategies beyond coercive measures in its engagement with Pakistan and Kashmiris.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Trump offer to mediate the Kashmir dispute?

Trump offered to mediate the Kashmir dispute following a four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan. This offer came as a surprise, as it was not part of the initial ceasefire announcement.

What is India's stance on international mediation in the Kashmir issue?

India maintains that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan and has firmly rejected any form of international mediation, including Trump's offer.

How have Kashmiri leaders responded to Trump's offer?

Kashmiri leaders have not made their positions clear. Political observers view Trump’s offer as a ‘positive development’ but note that the voices of the people are stifled by current restrictions on expression in the region.

What are the potential domestic implications for India if it accepts US mediation?

Accepting US mediation could lead to significant domestic backlash in India, as the BJP has won elections on the promise of integrating Kashmir with the rest of India after removing Article 370. It could also be seen as a political weakness.

What are the potential changes in India's approach to Kashmir following recent developments?

There is a possibility that New Delhi might engage with Kashmir but on its own terms. This could include granting statehood to J&K and considering strategies beyond coercive measures in its engagement with Pakistan and Kashmiris.